Why Do I Need Ornaments In My Aquarium?
Actually, there is no hard set rule that you really do. I can give you several suggestions, however, as to why you should have them. I can't imagine why you wouldn't want to decorate your underwater world and make it beautiful and alluring. After all, it is part of the decor of your home or office and it is your chance to put your creative talent to work. Of all the aquariums I have seen, I have never seen an ugly one. Each one is unique in its own way, created by the fish-keeper himself (or herself). If you get tired of the look of your aquarium, you can change the theme and come up with an altogether new look. Go ahead, experiment with different looks. Your fish won't care as long as they have what they need.
Fish like to play. Yes, they play just like you and I do. They also like to hide from larger fish, giving them a sense of security. If you provide them with some ornaments, rocks or caves, and some plants, they will feel more at home like they would be in their natural habitat. As we have taken them out of their homes and put them into another little world, we should try our best to provide them an environment as close to their own as we possibly can.
Please be careful with putting items in your aquarium that are not meant to be there. I'm talking about rocks and sticks you may have collected. Many of them can contain harmful bacteria or fungus that will reek havoc with your delicate eco system within your tank. If you purchase ornaments and plants for your tank, make sure they are safe for fresh or saltwater aquariums. Always wash all plants and ornaments before placing them into the tank. NEVER use detergents to clean them, only water. After your aquarium has been maintained for a while, do not remove the plants and ornaments and wash them. Beneficial bacteria have attached themselves to these ornaments and need to be there to balance the nitrogen cycle within your tank. If you need to wash them, do so with water you have taken from the tank.
Having said that, it is another reason to have ornaments and plants. THE NITROGEN CYCLE! The more surfaces you provide for beneficial bacteria to grow on, the better balanced your tank will be. A healthy tank means healthy fish and less stress on you!
Speaking of stress, keeping an aquarium is a great way to rid yourself of stress and anxiety. There is nothing more relaxing than listening to the bubbling water and the soft hum of the air pump and watching the graceful movement of the plants as they sway to the gentle current of the water. Then there are the fish which I find to be so entertaining, who needs TV anymore.
Well, I have presented my case for the ornaments and plants for your aquarium. As I said in the beginning, no, you really don't have to have them, but why wouldn't you?
